Norm Banas and Walt Viellieu had a 50-year friendship that was filled with the good times and camaraderie that came with being lovers of life and sports.

Today, Viellieu and many others are saddened by the passing of Banas who passed away today following a short illness.

“He was not only a tremendous athlete but a great person,” Viellieu said of his former football teammate at Purdue. “We graduated from college in the same year (1953) and we played a lot of golf together over the years. It is a sad day for me because he was one of my dearest friends. I am going to miss him.”

10. Bishop Noll (16-4, 6-1) Last Week – NR
Bishop Noll re-enters the RSN Top Ten in the #10 slot after a hard fought, come from behind win over Catholic arch-rival Andrean. The Warriors have all the tools necessary for a long tournament run, so hopefully they have learned they have to bring their “A” game every night. Sectional #33 is no cake walk and Noll opens with Lake Station on Friday, a team that already took the Warriors into overtime this season.

9. La Porte (13-7, 8-6) Last Week – NR
La Porte played through a lot of tough luck early in the season, losing some close ballgames but after a strong finish, reappear in the RSN Top Ten in the #9 slot after a prolonged absence. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and the Slicers appear to be a mentally tougher team heading into the post season which makes them a dangerous club to play. Although sectional #2 in class 4A is still a meat grinder, La Porte could be a dark horse. The Slicers open with Crown Point on Tuesday.